Safe Travels

Last week, I realized how much I hate hospitals.

Since my trip to Spain & Morocco, I've been feeling a bit under the weather, but thought I had just gotten a bad cold & didn't let myself rest properly before going back to work & to my hectic lifestyle.  

Turns out, I was suffering form a lot more than jet lag & a head cold, & when last Wednesday, I woke up feel absolutely horrible, I knew something was seriously wrong.  

With a temperature of 102.4, blood pressure of 70/38, & terrible stomach pains, my doctor told me I should have come in a lot sooner.  Long story short & 3 nights in the hospital (in isolation none the less), my stomach & intestinal infection was finally under control.  

More than likely, my infection was a result from the food I ate on my trip abroad.  I made sure not to drink tap water, but to be honest, I was unaware of any other procotions I should have taken.  

I wanted to share the CDC website with you guys & share my story so that next time you travel abroad, you don't come home to a hospital bed...  

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.htm

The CDC breaks food & drink information by country & also lists suggested vaccinations & other helpful info to keep you safe & healthy on your travels.  

Next time I travel, I'll be sure to be more careful about dairy products (pasteurized only) & about eating cooked veggies instead of raw. 

xoxo Shauna

Mini Berry Cobblers

Yesterday I was craving dessert, but wanted something mini & somewhat healthy.  I decided to make this mini berry cobbler recipe that I found on Cookie & Kate, an amazing blog I've recently stumbled upon.  

Mini Berry Cobblers

(makes 4)

• 1 large carton of blackberries, or two of the small containers
• 1 carton of strawberries
• 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour (I used regular whole wheat flour but surely pasty flour would be better)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• Dash of salt
• 1 small egg
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melt and let cool for a few minutes

Chop the strawberries into large chunks. Gently mix the fruit, corn starch and sugar together in a bowl.

Mix the remaining dry ingredients together in a larger bowl. Whisk the egg, buttermilk and butter together in a separate bowl, then pour into the bowl of dry ingredients. 

Stir the mixture until just blended.

Spoon the fruit mixture into your ramekins and top with the dough. Bake at 375 degrees for fifteen minutes or until the tops are golden brown. 

 

View the blog entry here:   

http://cookieandkate.com/2010/mini-blackberry-cobbler-recipe/#ixzz1TFgP2uyx

 

To make the recipe a little healthier, I forwent the cornstarch in the berries & substituted buttermilk for Silk vanilla soy milk.  Still yummy & I felt a little less guilty.   

xoxo Shauna

Explore.

"The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

  - T.S. Eliot

xoxo Shauna

Tumblr LOVE & FASHION Insperation

 

 

 

 

 

xoxo Shauna

Craving COLOR

 

xoxo Shauna

Tangerine lip tint

 

Obsessed.

xoxo Shauna

Breakfast of Champions

It's hard for me to down a big meal in the am, especially during the summertime because my appetite tends to be suppressed when it's hot out (not complaining ;)).   But, it is true that breakfast is the most important meal of the day & this protein smoothie is my daily go-to.  It not only fills me up, but is SUPER healthy & gets my day going on the right foot. 

1 scoop soy vanilla protein powder

1/2 cup organic blueberries

1/2 cup frozen spinach

1/2 cup water or almond milk

1 tablespoon ground flax seed

In total this smoothie has about 150 calories (& around 200 if almond milk is used rather than water) & is packed FULL of fiber, protein, antioxidants & vitamins.   It keeps me full until the afternoon & doesn't make me "crash" like a breakfast high in carbs or sugar would.  Did I mention it's delicious, too?  :)

xoxo Shauna

Argan Oil

While I was in Spain, my girlfriends & I decided to take a little trip over to Mococco.  We rode camels, saw a snake charmer, ate a traditional Moroccan meal, walked through the bazaar, bought spices... & then stumbled upon pure GOLD.  I have to admit, I was most excited about finding real Moroccan oil, since I use the stuff in my hair almost daily.  

The company Moroccan Oil has really capitalized on the Moroccan culture's use of Argan oil.  They use it as a skin moisturizer, in their hair, as a dietary supplement, a blemish remedy, anti-aging oil & so much more!  I was lucky to stumble upon some locals in a farmacia selling the stuff for about 6 euros a bottle (compared to more than $50 a bottle in the states).  

Morroccan Oil

 

Argon oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree, found only in Southeast Morocco.  Above are some photos of locals grinding the kernels to extract the oil.  Argan cultivation is strictly controlled by Moroccan government & it's profits go directly to local Moroccan tribes.  

Pretty cool.

xoxo Shauna

Espana!

 I'm baaaaaaaaack!

Had the most amazing trip of my life!  17 days of siestas, fiestas, & summer love.  

I feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life that have the same passion for travel & life that I have & it feels good to be back home with my amazing family & friends. 

 In front of our hotel in Madrid. 

 Mojitos in Barcelona.

 Dinner in Malaga.

 Snake charmer in Morocco.  

 Moroccan Snails. 

 European paradise. 

My love & I in Pampolona covered in sangria for the running of the bulls :)

xoxo Shauna